According to The Sun, Arsenal are willing to loan Bernd Leno to Newcastle, with Eddie Howe interested in signing the Premier League glovesman.
What’s the story?
Well, 29-year-old has lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal, and now looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium with Newcastle keen.
The Gunners are happy to let Leno join the Magpies on loan, as long as they can secure the signing of Matt Turner from New England Revolution.
Given the magnitude of the opportunity, the American side won’t stand in his way, so that deal looks likely to happen, which is good news for Howe.
The Sun believe Arsenal value Leno at £10m, which means they’re happy to accept a loss of £9.3m having spent £19.3m on the German in 2018.
Arsenal would like a clause inserted in the loan deal, which would see Leno join Newcastle permanently if they can avoid relegation.
However, the former Bayer Leverkusen man is not entirely convinced about committing his long-term future to Newcastle, and would prefer a temporary move without a permanent clause.
Newcastle must take Bernd Leno on loan
Yesterday, we opined that Newcastle should ignore a move for Leno, as it would be a waste of funds, and time, to improve a position not in desperate need of strengthening.
However, that was before a loan move became a genuine possibility.
That would be much easier to complete, and would also see Newcastle receive an experienced, international goalkeeper who is significantly better than Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow.
In fact, it could even be a transformative signing – a reliable goalkeeper can inject huge amounts of confidence into a shaky backline.
If Arsenal really are open to letting Leno join Newcastle on loan, Howe simply has to act – it could be the difference between relegation and survival.
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